The Monasteries of Meteora.

Meteora. Towering rock formations, on top of which are built some famous monasteries dating back to the early 14th century. The word 'meteora' means 'suspended in air'. Indeed, these amazing retreats are perched atop pinnacles that rise about 1,000 feet from the valley floor. For centuries, the monasteries served as a sort of Christian hideouts while the Ottoman Turks ruled Greece. Initially inhabited by monks, two of the monasteries began to house nuns in the sixties. It was these monasteries we visited. Photography was not allowed in the chapels with frescos in one dating back five hundred years… the other with icons being oil-painted (and continuing) by the same artist going back 40 years.

And the views! the village of Kalambaka at the foot of the formations and the valley below for many miles in the distance. And it was a more vigorous day… 130 slate steps up to one of the monasteries and mile and half hike down an old monk trail, which consisted of cobblestones, dirt, and loose gravel. Not all of us went back to the village that way, but we all met up for lunch.

We also visited an icon-painting workshop… a carved wood base covered with specially-treated cloth to draw and paint particular Byzantine-style, religious icons, some with silver and 22-carat guilded embellishments.

Quick Photo Links: The Monasteries and Rock Formations of Meteora | The Monk's Trail | Icon Painting Workshop